Open Source Linux Driver Now Available for Atheros 802.11b/g and 802.11a/b/g Chipsets

Linux Community Rallies Behind Atheros Advanced Wireless LAN Technology 

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 23, 2003—Atheros Communications, the leading developer and market share leader in advanced wireless LAN (WLAN) chipsets, today announced that the first open source Linux and FreeBSD software drivers for 802.11b/g and universal 802.11a/b/g products are now available as a free download from the Internet.

Created by Open Source developer Sam Leffler, the 802.11a/b/g Linux driver is intended to be used as a building block for creating fully featured Linux-based 802.11b/g and 802.11a/b/g products such as network adapters, access points, and home gateways. The new Linux driver supports all three generations of Atheros’ industry-leading chipsets for high performance 802.11b/g and universal 802.11a/b/g connectivity.

“Providing support for the Atheros products is an important development for the open source community,” said Sam Leffler of Errno Consulting. “Open source developers and researchers have been hamstrung by limited access to wireless technology. Now that these drivers are available, we’ll no longer be constrained to use legacy hardware. Developers can start implementing solutions based on Atheros’ industry-leading 802.11b/g and 802.11a/b/g chipsets.”

 “We are committed to making wireless technology more accessible for all developers,” said Craig Barratt, president and chief executive officer for Atheros. “Mr. Leffler’s recent contribution to the Open Source community empowers Linux users to take advantage of the most advanced 802.11b/g and universal 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN chips available on the market.”

To download a copy of the new Linux device driver please go to: https://sourceforge.net/projects/madwifi/.

The FreeBSD device driver is a standard part of the FreeBSD operating system; it is available at: http://www.freebsd.org/.

About Atheros Communications, Inc.

Atheros Communications is the leading developer of networking technologies for secure, high-performance wireless local area networks. As the industry innovator and market-share leader in multi-mode wireless solutions compliant with the IEEE 802.11 specifications, Atheros is driving transparent connections among electronic devices in the office, home and on the road. Atheros technology is being used by many of the world's leading wireless equipment manufacturers including 3Com, Accton, Actiontec, Acrowave Systems, AIRAYA, Airespace, AirVast Technology, ALPS, Ambit, Aruba Wireless Networks, Askey, ASUS, Avaya, BenQ, Chantry Networks, Contec, CyberTAN, Dacom, Delta Networks, D-Link, Gemtek, Gigabyte Technology, Global Sun Tech, HP, IBM, ICOM, Intel, Intermec, I-O Data, Linksys, NEC, NETGEAR, Nortel, Philips, Proxim, Samsung, Senao, SMC Networks, Sony, Symbol Technologies, TDK, TECOM, Toshiba, Trapeze Networks, USI, W2 Networks, Wistron NeWeb, Z-Com and others. For more information, visit www.atheros.com or send email to info@atheros.com.

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For press and analyst inquiries contact: Cheryl Patstone, 408-773-5344, cheryl@atheros.com or Greg Wood, A&R Partners, 650-762-2838, gwood@arpartners.com.

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